Wolfsburg join race to sign Lukaku

Wolfsburg are keen to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, with Everton and Monaco also pursuing the Belgium striker.

Lukaku, 21, was expected to join compatriots Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard at his club's pre-season training camp on Wednesday after the trio were given extra time off because of Belgium's extended run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil.

Chelsea could play Lukaku in their friendly against Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands this week but are said to want £30 million for him as his future at the club remains in doubt.

Having impressed on loan at Everton last season, Lukaku is wanted by their manager Roberto Martinez again for the coming campaign, but Wolfsburg's sporting director Klaus Allofs hinted the Bundesliga outfit are also interested.

German newspaper Bild claimed that Wolfsburg bid £22 million for the player and Allofs was quoted in the Suddeutsche Zeitung as saying: "We all know he's a good player."

Monaco have also been linked with a move for Lukaku, whom they could pair with Radamel Falcao up front after allowing Emmanuel Riviere to join Newcastle.

Lukaku, whose contract at Chelsea expires in 2016, has previously claimed he would favour a return to Everton, though the lure of Champions League football with Monaco could appeal.

The player fuelled speculation on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon by tweeting a picture of himself on a plane with the caption "Time to write a new chapter..."

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